The word "overtake" comes from the Middle English word "overtaken" which means "to catch up with" or "to pass." It was first used in English in the 14th century to describe the act of passing or catching up with someone or something that is ahead. It is composed by the prefix "over-" which means "above" or "beyond" and "take" which means "to get hold of" or "to capture". The verb "overtake" means to pass or catch up with someone or something that is ahead, whether in a physical sense such as a car overtaking another car while driving, or in an abstract sense such as to overtake someone in a competition or race. It also can refer to surpassing, gaining an advantage over, or taking control of something or someone. It is commonly used to express the idea of passing or catching up with someone or something that is ahead, whether in a physical sense or in an abstract sense.